You get your first hint of this on start-up. They say what looks right, is right. The same applies to sound. The engine fires up crisp and urgent, and that’s how it feels as you slot the lever into first and engage the firmly biting clutch.

Of course, after the 2.5-litre V6 version, this 1.8 feels a bit tame. Nevertheless, it’s not only quick off the mark, but also entertainingly swift, thanks to snappy throttle response, the sportily ratioed gearbox and an untiring revvability – it will run to 7280 if you let it. Hard acceleration is accompanied by a lovely cammy, ‘double knocker’ soundtrack; the downside is that there’s a low-geared, busy drone at motorway speeds.

The engine’s eagerness is complemented by lowered suspension, firmed up to the point where the words ‘bucking’ and ‘bronco’ spring to mind on bumpy back roads. It’s better on smoother surfaces, and anyway, press-on types will appreciate the car’s taut, all-of-a-piece feel and the quick steering that makes the ZS so alert and chuckable. Wet weather prevented our giving the brakes a full test track workout, but they feel great on the road.

Much of the interior has a familiar Rover 45 appearance, feeling somewhat dated as a result. Indeed, some of the old Rover shortcomings live on: the sun visors aren’t shaped to fit round the mirror, the screenwashers cause side window streaking, and the passenger’s airbag looks like a stuck-on afterthought.

In this case, though, silver-dialled instruments and shapely, body-hugging seats replace the originals – as does a gaudy looking Kenwood radio/CD player, worked by fiddly, minuscule buttons. The chunky, compact wheel adjusts only for tilt, but the seat’s generous height adjustment is a big help in giving a very comfortable driving position. With the smaller rear spoiler specified and the absence of (optional) rear head restraints, all-round vision is unhampered. That said, we still appreciated the £350-extra rear parking sensors.

Fortunately the front seatbacks are hollowed out, otherwise the modest rear kneeroom would be even worse. Although head and foot room are adequate, there’s not a lot of space in the back, where the tall sit a bit too low for comfort.

Although the wheelarches and lid hinges intrude on load space, the fully lined boot is still a useful size. Extra space opens up when the split/fold rear backrests are tipped forward to create a long but not quite flat load deck.

There are few surprise and delight features in the ZS – in the usual sense, that is. In fact, some of the model’s shortcomings go way back to its origins, and passengers are by no means pampered. But tough – this is a driver’s car in which the fun is fast if not furious, thanks to a superbly engineered feel to both the lusty, rev-happy engine and the sportily sorted chassis. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

Suspension is firm and bumpy on poorer surfaces but, elsewhere, the ride/handling compromise is just about right. Front seats fine if you're not too broad. Competent heating/air-con, but no flow to rear feet.

OVERTAKING ABILITY

Crisp and punchy 1.8 K-Series engine loves to rev, but is equally happy to potter the lanes. Makes all the right noises on full song. Sporty gearbox adds to the fun, but top gear proves lowish for fast motorway work.

acceleration in seconds

through gears*

4th gear

5th gear

20-40mph

3.0

7.7

11.7

30-50mph

3.9

7.4

11.9

40-60mph

4.7

7.5

11.7

50-70mph

5.8

8.0

11.8

30-70mph

9.7

15.4

23.7

max speed in each gear (* using 6200rpm for best acceleration)

gear

1st*

2nd*

3rd*

4th

5th

speed (mph)

32

56

78

99

120 (5530rpm)

FUEL ECONOMY

Pedal-to-the-metal motoring will cost you, but mpg in low 40s possible if you can restrain yourself - MGs 48mpg is optimistic, though. Easy-filling tank gives a 370-mile range. Flap opened only by internal trigger.

type of use (air conditioning off)

AA test (mpg)

urban (heavy traffic)

22

rural (gentle driving)

43

overall mpg

35

realistic tank capacity/range (litres/miles)

48/370

official mpg (urban/extra urban/combined)

29.2/48.3/38.9

CO2 emissions

174g/km

car tax band

D

SAFETY

Great brakes, swervable chassis, but if it comes to the crunch, you'll bless two front and side airbags, five lap-and-diagonal belts (the front ones with pretensioners). Rear head-restraints are £75 extra, though.

EURO NCAP RATINGS

BRAKES

Wet weather precluded accurate brake tests, but there's sensible pedal progression and the promise of a best stop of about 1g (25.5m)

Plenty of room up front, but rear knee/leg room mediocre. Not over-endowed with cubbies or cup holders, but rear backrests fold on to cushion to give a useful (but not flat) extension to quite spacious boot.

in centimetres (4-door saloon)

outside

length

453

width

- including mirrors

192

&nbsp

- mirrors folded

175

height

138

load sill height (inside/outside)

18/68

steering

turns lock-to-lock

2.7

turning circle (metres)

12.0

easy to park/garage?

inside

front

- legroom

94-109

&nbsp

- headroom

90-99§

rear

- typical legroom

93

&nbsp

- typical kneeroom

74

&nbsp

- headroom

92

&nbsp

- hiproom

129

load area(all seats in use)

load space(litres/cu ft)

535/18.9

load length

98-178#

load length to facia

267

load width

86-136

load height

49

§ no sunroof # rear seat folded

SECURITY

Poor boot security from interior, but alarm and immobiliser standard. No deadlocks, but security shielding for steering column, doors, tailgate locks. Lockable glovebox. Group 12 insurance on this 120.

FEATURES/CONVENIENCE

NCSR RATINGS

central locking

remote control

remote window closing

deadlocks

alarm (perimeter + interior)

self-locking (static + drive-off)

two-stage unlocking

attack-resistant glass

lockable glovebox

AA load area security rating

=standard=option=not available

NCSR - "theft of"

NCSR - "theft from"

NCSR = New Car Security Ratings: a 1 to 5 star system which rates anti-theft protection, both of the car itself and the theft of valuables from within the car